Energy

Engineering company Clough Ltd could take a $23 million hit after its Indonesian subsidiary disclosed that it had been forced to suspend work on a coal mine project, which is currently seeking to raise additional capital needed for completion.

Perth-based energy group Aviva Corp Ltd has agreed to a $22 million merger with Canadian coal producer NEMI Northern Energy and Mining Inc.

An arbitrator has been called in to settle a dispute between Alinta and its gas supplier, the Woodside-operated North West Shelf venture, that could involve third parties by way of subpoenas.

A government spokesperson has refuted media reports saying Mines and Petroleums Minister Norman Moore has committed to another inquiry in the Varanus Island gas explosion.

Paladio Group Ltd subsidiary, Decmil Australia Pty Ltd, has secured its second Woodside contract, worth $115 million, for civil works at the Pluto liquefied natural gas project.

Perth-based Coretrack Ltd has signed an agreement with Apache Energy Ltd to supply its core level recorder tool and associated services to the oil and gas company's Reindeer 2 well located in the North West Shelf.

RBA warns on bank guarantee; Mortgage fund freezes withdrawals; Grylls, Barnett up ante in royalties stalemate; Atlas reviews iron ore plans; Profits in reverse for car retailer AHG

Wesfarmers Limited has approved a major project to expand the reserves of its Curragh mine in Queensland.

Labor leader Eric Ripper today called for an independent inquiry, jointly sponsored by the Commonwealth and State Governments, into the regulatory regime governing gas plants and pipelines in Western Australia.

Chevron Australia says the government's proposed emissions trading scheme could increase operating costs by up to $200 million to its massive Gorgon and Wheatstone projects.

Shares in Westralian Gas and Power have slumped nearly 30 per cent as the company reports cash reserves of $7000 at the end of the September quarter.

The North West Shelf Venture has today celebrated the completion of its $2.6 billion, phase five liquefied natural gas expansion project at a special ceremony in Karratha.

A Malaga-based power tool and equipment manufacturer has been announced as the winner of the 2008 WA Inventor of the Year Award.

Unionised train drivers working for Rio Tinto's Pilbara operations are planning another round of strike action next week.

Western Australia's timber industry has voted to seek compensation of some $20 million from Apache Energy for losses incurred as a result of the gas explosion at Varanus Island.

West Perth-based Altera Resources Ltd has walked away from a proposed $13 million acquisition of an underground coal gasification company.

North Perth-based metals explorer Aura Energy Ltd has entered into a deal, potentially valued at $460 million, with Chinese company Sino King Investment Ltd.

A subsidiary of VDM Group Ltd has secured a near $6 million contract from Cemex for works in the Pilbara.

WA rips $1.8bn off regional deal; RBA plans drastic rates cut; Chinese Rio play embroiled in Lehman collapse; Mills push FMG for freight cuts; NAB to be first cab off the rank

The federal government will contribute $1.4 million towards a small wind farm in Denmark that will generate some 5800 megawatt hours of electricity each year.

Western Australia miners have been hit hard in trade today with the metals and mining index plummeting over 12 per cent on fears that the meltdown will spark a global slump and reduce demand for commodities.

Mining services company Imdex Ltd is set to acquire Western Australian manufacturer Australian Drilling Specialities for $12 million in cash and scrip.

OSBORNE Park-based distributor of electronic workstations and servers, EDsys Computers, has taken an energy efficient approach to business since it was founded in 1992.

WESTERN Australia's seemingly unstoppable supremacy on top of the stock exchange leader board has taken a battering over the past year, with a significant percentage of the state's mining and resources groups finding themselves in the crosshairs of worrie

A GROUP of companies active in Western Australia's fast-growing subsea oil and gas sector have established an industry representative body.

KEY industry bodies are gearing up their preparations for proposed compensation claims following the release of the official report into the Varanus gas explosion, handed down last week by Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore.

WITH energy issues firmly fixed on the public agenda after the events in recent months, the time is right for the development of a state energy policy which, at its heart, has a vision for Western Australia's development to 2050 and beyond.

THE global financial crisis has had a big impact on two energy projects off Western Australia's northern coast, with Coogee Resources and Nexus Energy both putting out 'for sale' signs this month.

THE business of putting more trees in the ground and keeping them there may soon become one of the more viable options for the forestry sector, with two announcements this week a sign of the times.

WHAT started as a marketing plan to name a range of wines has become a 10-year passion for the history of French exploration in Western Australia for businessman, Peter Woods.

WESTERN Australians spend an estimated $300 million on sporting events each year, which has given rise to a dynamic and growing industry.

Premier Colin Barnett has named North Head, north of Broome, as his preferred site for a gas processing precinct to serve the Browse Basin gas fields, located off the Kimberley coast.